What's Wrong with This Note???

The Modifications Committee of the HOA serves an important purpose. They keep things looking nice in the community. Except when they don't.

Drive by the blue house at 6 Harvest Ridge Drive, just east of the HOA office. How did a Form 201 ever get approved by the Modifications Committee to paint that house blue? 

And how did the owner ever get approval for the over-size "shed" (garage) in his backyard? It is certainly larger than 10'x10'x10'. It's blue, too.

The issue of plastic sheds is mentioned in the Minutes for the April 1st Board Meeting. The Modifications Committee didn't need to deny it, because plastic sheds are prohibited in Section 22 of the Summit Modifications Committee Guidelines.

Further, read the Note at the end of Section 22 of the Guidelines.

"Note: The Modification Committee reserves the right to allow or disallow the construction of the detached structure for reasons not covered in this guideline. These are just guidelines and not meant to be hard fast rules for construction of a structure. This is a guideline for the homeowner who may be considering the construction of a detached structure on their property. The Modification Committee has the final say in what is or is not allowed."

Seriously?

The Modification Committee has NO right to allow or disallow ... It can't "reserve" that right, because that right doesn't exist.

The Guidelines are not "just guidelines". As a matter of fact, they ARE hard (and) fast rules.

Most importantly, the Modifications Committee does NOT have the final say in what is or is not allowed. The Board of Directors has the final say.

If an owner wants to paint his house blue or erect a blue garage larger than the 10'x10'x10' maximum shed size or erect a plastic shed, the Modifications Committee should deny it. 

The homeowner then could appeal that denial to the Board of Directors. The Board would be bound to make a decision on behalf of the HOA for the benefit of all the Members of the Association.

When was that Note added to the Guidelines? Who was President of the HOA at the time that Note was added? Who authorized that Note?

The Board should immediately revise the Guidelines and remove that Note. They can do so at any board meeting.

Will someone bring this up to the Board. I can't.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

June 3rd BOD Meeting now Closed to Members

The HOA office sent out an email at 3:29PM that read, in part, Due to Brookland Baptist Church being unavailable to accommodate the scheduled Board of Directors meeting on June 3rd, the meeting will now be held at the Summit Association office. Please note that space is limited at this location; therefore, only Voting Members and Committee Chairs will be invited to attend in person. One would think they would splash a message on the homepage of the HOA's website and change the location in the Calendar on the website; but No to both.  This last-minute change is highly adverse to the interests of the Members of the Association. The HOA must have some deal with Brookland Baptist Church Northeast for the rental of the meeting room. The dates must be arranged for the year. The HOA makes a "donation" to the Church for the use of the room. It's actually not a "donation", because the HOA receives something of value in exchange; i.e., the use of the meeting room.  Wh...
Read more

What? No trampolines?

OK, you trampoline fans. Are your rights and privileges being tramped on by your Board of Directors? The office sent out an email just before 2:00PM threatening you with a dreaded violation notice and the possibility of fines, if you dare to put a trampoline in your yard.  This is what the email from the office said,  " Please be advised that, pursuant to Section 13, Page 22, Article XII of the covenants, no structure of a temporary nature shall be placed upon any unit or any part of the properties. This includes, but is not limited to, tents, temporary gazebos, shacks, trailers, and any other structure of a temporary nature.  "Kindly note that trampolines are classified as temporary play equipment and, as such, are not permitted within the community. We ask that you ensure there is no trampoline present on your property to avoid receiving a violation notice and subsequent fines." What do the Covenants say? "Section 13. Tents. Trailers and Temporary Structures. Exce...
Read more

What Story Do the Financials Tell?

At the May 6, 2025 Board of Directors meeting, the March Financial Operating Results were available. Did you pick up a copy? Was there any discussion of them? Usually there is not. Do board members examine them before the meeting? Does anyone on the Board really understand them?  Look at the page for the Operating Expenses - Variances. Twelve Line Items are shown. No totals are shown. Big mistake. But are the totals intentionally omitted? For these 12 Items the total of "YTD Variances" is $61,784.93. As of the end of March, the HOA has over-spent the 2025 Budget by $61,784.93. Look at the reason given for the over-spending in Line Item GL-5111 Irrigation Contract. "This is over budget and will remain over budget due to the 2025 budget is $75,000 and the monthly contracted cost is $10,140." Is this worded to intentionally confuse any reader by stating the annual amount in the budget, but the monthly amount for the contracted cost? If the yearly contract for Irrigat...
Read more